May 21, 2003	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 18

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QUETTA, May 20: Four miners died of gas suffocation in a coal mine in the Surranj area, some 40 km east of here, the other day, officials said on Tuesday.

“It was a poisonous gas which accumulated in the mine causing the death of four miners working inside, Maqbool Ahmed, Chief Inspector of Mines, said. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident.

The accident took place in a private coal mine earlier owned by the Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation where nine workers were busy digging coal at a depth of 1,500 feet.

Seven mine workers were rescued while two were found dead inside the mine. Two of those brought out unconscious died before getting any medical aid. The five others rescued were reported to be improving in hospital.

The mine workers who died in the incident have been identified as Abdul Mateen, Motabar Khan, Pervez and Bakhat Sarwar. Their bodies were sent to their native villages in Swat.

The mine has been closed till further orders. The report of the inquiry ordered into the incident is to be submitted within 15 days.